At one of our church caring groups that I attend, I was talking to Mal and he told me about a nature trail he and his wife hike after church every week.
Since we here in the Rogue Valley have had unusually cooler weather even into July this year I thought it would be a great short hike in the low areas around our valley. The trail is a fairly easy 1 ml loop. There is some climbing in elevation also.
Beekman Loop Trail is located behind the historic Beekman house on 352 East California Street in Jacksonville. There is a whole system of trails in and around Jacksonville and most will give a hiker some great views of Jacksonville and the surrounding area.
Here is a site that offers an online interactive map for all the trails in and around Jacksonville: Jacksonville Woodlands Association
What I didn’t realize is the area also is home to Beekman Native Plant Arboretum. It was really too late in the year to see anything blooming but the Arboretum has 175+ native plants, so expect another article next spring! There is a nice brochure at the trail head that you could pick-up before taking the hike.
Wikipedia has an article on the Beekman Native Plant Arboretum just click HERE to read it.
The Mail Tribune in August 2007 had a good article about Jacksonville’s trail system called “Off the Tourist Trail” if you want to read that click HERE.
In the natural I love paths, roads, doors, windows and walls with gates. They remind me of the paths we take in life and the different doors we have to choose from as we grow up and as we get older.
God uses the words path and road quite often in the scriptures:
Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. NKJV
Rev 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. NIV
What are some of the paths you have taken? Where did they lead you?
